On a warm afternoon in an open tin shed in Tjuntjuntjara five artists are working in fine detail on huge canvases.

They're preparing work for the Spinifex Art Project's next exhibition, to be held in Melbourne later this year to celebrate the project's fifteenth anniversary.

Louise Allerton has been involved as a facilitator from 1997, when the small community started producing paintings that documented their stories as part of their native title claim. The Federal court granted native title to the Spinifex people in 2001, but the art didn't stop.

Louise Allerton says that when it started out, all the work was done in the bush.

"We'd get as many cars as we could and go out bush and spread out all the canvases and paint for up to two weeks at a time."

"Everybody would produce fantastic work which would then be exhibited in different cities around the country and overseas."

"In 2005 we took five artists to London and the Netherlands. The artists have also been to Switzerland."

"The art project has changed in the last couple of years. People haven't been going out bush as much, because everybody is getting older."

Tjuntjuntjara doesn't have an arts centre, the painting materials are stored in a shipping container and painting is done outside or in the old sports hall, but the community would eventually like to built an arts centre.

"Even if it's a basic structure like a big shed, that would be great," Ms Allerton says.

In the meantime, the community is branching out - literally.

Melbourne sculptor Ange Leech is currently the artist in residence and is sharing her woodwork skills with the locals, with plans for an exhibition in Kalgoorlie in July.

Trips into the bush to collect branches and trunks have been made, and now Ms Leech is helping the artists to bring out what they see in the wood.

"The wood around here is so unique and amazing, and the people here see the animals in the land and in the wood," Ms Leech says.

"I think this is an amazing place. It seems like there is a really strong commitment between people and respect for art and object making and respect for the land."

"It's inspiring."

After fifteen years, Louise Allerton is preparing to step down as facilitator but she's confident the art project will continue.

"It's a good source of income for the old people, who do most of the painting. It's the only opportunity to earn some money outside of their pensions."

"It gives people a meaningful activity where they can tell their stories through their painting and it's a great educational opportunity for non-Aboriginal people."